AMSA has provided a snapshot of domestic commercial vessel (DCV) marine incidents reported between July and September 2025 and explore a key safety lesson from a case where a passenger jumped overboard. Each case is a clear reminder of how quickly things can go wrong — and why preparation matters.
Between July and September 2025, 263 marine incidents were reported involving DCVs. This number is identical to the same quarter last year.
August received the highest number of reported marine incidents last quarter at 92, however the highest severity of reported marine incidents occurred in September, with 17 serious and 1 very serious.
Snapshot of marine incidents last quarter:
- A crew member fell overboard without a lifejacket whilst retrieving fishing gear — subsequent searches failed to locate them (very serious incident).
- A surveyor sustained serious injuries after falling into an open hatch during survey inspection — crew provided first aid until the surveyor was transported to hospital by ambulance.
- Crew tested positive for CO (carbon monoxide) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide) exposure.
- An employee sustained serious hand injury when attempting to release aft rope from bollard.
- Two vessels damaged by fire with one crew member sustaining serious burns and requiring medevac for treatment.
Every marine incident is a reminder to check that your safety management system and crew training remains strong and effective.
Full marine incident report July-September 2025
July
State › Vessel type › Incident
NSW › Class 1 › Vessel drifted from gangway during disembarkation. Master and two passengers fell overboard without lifejackets. All persons were recovered without injury.
NSW › Class 2 › Crew member fell overboard during an emergency stop drill. Crew member was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
NSW › Class 4 › Crew member fell overboard during boarding. Crew member was recovered and sustained fractures to multiple ribs.
NT › Class 2 › Contractor fell between vessel and jetty while disembarking. Contractor was wearing a lifejacket and was recovered without injury.
NT › Class 2 › Fuel spilled into a lit gas oven while refuelling a generator. Two vessels sustained significant fire damage. Crew member sustained serious burns and required medevac for treatment.
QLD › Class 1 › Two passengers jumped overboard. It is unknown if they were wearing lifejackets. Both passengers recovered without injury.
QLD › Class 2 › Crew member fell off PWC while crossing a coastal bar. Crew member recovered and was transported to hospital for a knee injury.
QLD › Class 2 › Pilot fell overboard during disembarkation. Pilot was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
TAS › Class 1 › Crew member fell overboard after a large wave struck during berthing in rough conditions. Crew member was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
TAS › Class 2 › Contractor tripped and fell while preparing for disembarking. Contractor sustained injuries and required treatment in hospital.
TAS › Class 3 › Vessel ran aground on an island and sustained hull damage. Temporary repairs completed.
VIC › Class 2 › Crew member fell overboard during towing operations. Crew member was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
August
State › Vessel type › Incident
NSW › Class 1 › Crew member sustained crush injury while adjusting mooring lines in strong weather conditions. Crew member required treatment in hospital.
NSW › Class 2 › Vessel stalled and became adrift after a rock was caught between the prop and prop guard. Vessel made contact with a tree stump and took on water. Crew abandoned vessel swam to the shoreline wearing lifejackets.
NSW › Class 2 › Vessel collided with a moored vessel while approaching the dock. Both vessels sustained damage.
QLD › Class 1 › Vessel partially sank at berth with no persons onboard.
QLD › Class 2 › Three crew members exhibited symptoms of dizziness, light-headedness and disorientation following their shift. Crew tested positive for CO and CO2 with low oxygen saturation.
QLD › Class 2 › Crew member fell overboard attempting to secure tow line to a capsized vessel. Crew member retrieved and sustained injury. It is not known whether they were wearing a lifejacket at the time.
QLD › Class 2 › Vessel disabled following engine stall and unsuccess attempts to restart. Passengers were transferred to shore by another vessel. Disabled vessel was towed to safety.
QLD › Class 2 › Crew member wearing a lifejacket fell overboard transferring between vessels. Crew member reached nearby shore without injury.
QLD › Class 3 › Vessel disabled following significant oil loss resulting in damage to engine. Vessel towed back to wharf.
SA › Class 2 › Vessel sank while being towed. The rear jacking leg of the towed vessel dropped to the seabed as the vessel was turning. Towed vessel sustained hull damage and subsequently sank.
TAS › Class 3 › Vessel grounded on sandbar during low tide and poor visibility. Vessel suffered loss of rudder and was safely towed back to port.
VIC › Class 3 › Master operating alone went overboard following vessel capsize. Master was wearing a lifejacket and was able to swim to nearby shore for assistance.
September
Very serious incidents
State › Vessel type › Incident
QLD › Class 3 › Crew member fell overboard without a lifejacket whilst retrieving fishing gear. Subsequent searches failed to locate the missing crew member.
serious incidents
State › Vessel type › Incident
NSW › Class 1 › Crew member went overboard while attempting to recover a line that had come loose during adverse weather. Crew member was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
NSW › Class 1 › Passenger jumped overboard without a lifejacket and exited water at the shore.
NSW › Class 2 › Vessel’s starboard propulsion unit became entangled in a towline during a towing operation. Vessel was safely secured alongside.
NSW › Class 3 › Two crew members not wearing lifejackets went overboard following vessel capsizing in rough seas. Crew were rescued without injury.
NT › Class 2 › Engines shut down during voyage due to smoke permeating from starboard engine gearbox coupling. Vessel safely returned to port on one engine.
QLD › Class 1 › Vessel collided with starboard lateral mark while clearing its berth. No significant damage reported.
QLD › Class 1 › Crew member fell overboard while shortening tow line. Crew member was wearing a lifejacket and recovered without injury.
QLD › Class 1 › Vessel collided with a berthed vessel during docking. Berthed vessel sustained damage to window.
QLD › Class 1 › Vessel collided with anchored sailing yacht following loss of propulsion. The yacht sustained minor damage.
QLD › Class 1 › Passenger not wearing a lifejacket was thrown overboard by another passenger during a buck’s party. Passenger recovered without injury.
QLD › Class 2 › Vessel disabled following fuel filter blockage. Vessel was safely towed to shore.
QLD › Class 3 › Vessel sunk with cause yet to be determined. EPIRB activated allowing crew to be rescued by another vessel.
QLD › Class 4 › Vessel collided with unattended moored vessel. Both vessels sustained minor damage.
QLD › Class 4 › Two passengers fell off PWC. One passenger sustained minor injury.
SA › Class 2 › Crew member sustained shoulder injury whilst shovelling spilled cargo.
TAS › Class 1 › Surveyor sustained serious injuries from falling into open hatch during survey inspection. First aid was provided by crew, and surveyor was transported to hospital by ambulance.
TAS › Class 3 › Employee sustained significant hand injury when attempting to release aft rope from bollard. Employee was provided first aid and taken to hospital by ambulance.
For more information visit www.amsa.gov.au
